High

Not too long ago, in a small village not so far away, there was a roadway forgotten by all except the Villagers who walked by day and night. This was an extraordinary railway up high, seemingly rising to the sky. When it was first constructed, most of the Villagers were very happy. Even people who did not live in that Village were also delighted. It significantly changed their lives, and they felt much safer. Before elevating this mode of transportation from the street level to a railway above, the trains ran along the avenue, crossing the streets, which created some difficulties for pedestrians. It is said that sometimes, Villagers crossing the streets got hit by trains and were killed.

You must know that this railway was not meant to be used for transportation by the people. Back then, in this part of the City, business was booming. Ah! You wonder, City? Yes, New York City, also known as The Big Apple and, of course, The City that Never Sleeps. There were a lot of products that needed to be transported from other locations into the Village. This elevated rail line was necessary to ensure pedestrians' safety, save lives, and maintain business flow. This change benefited businesses and made life more enjoyable for everyone on the street level.

This went on for quite a while. Life was on a roll. As change is inevitable, this "West Side Elevated Line," as it was called, was being used less and less. Then came a time when the transportation provided by the trains was replaced by the trucking industry. Somehow, the businesses, too, were going through changes and migrating out of the Village.

Nonetheless, this rail line, up above, beneath the sky, was left there--you could say abandoned and forgotten by all. You should know that back then, the "West Side Elevated Line" ran from Spring Street, lower Manhattan, to West 34th Street. Left alone, out of use, consequently, it deteriorated, the steel rusted, and again, it became a concern for everyone.

In this unified experience within the High Line, all anxieties seem to vanish. Through some gravitational pull, all confusions and conflicts between reason and emotion in the sphere of mind melt away, and you enter The High--a sense of Sublime Bliss of Oneness.

Eventually, it was converted into a park, The High Line. This book, The High, presents some aspects of everyday experiences of the park.

In this unified experience within the High Line, all anxieties seem to vanish. Through some gravitational pull, all confusions and conflicts between reason and emotion in the sphere of mind melt away, and you enter The High--a sense of Sublime Bliss of Oneness.